Billing Code - PHMSA - Department of Transportation

important as the volume of hazardous materials transported in international commerce
grows. Safety is often enhanced by creating a uniform framework for compliance.
PHMSA actively participates in relevant international standard-setting bodies and
promotes the adoption of standards consistent with the high safety standards set by the
HMR.
The foreign trade of chemicals is a large segment of the United States economy. In
2000, U.S. foreign trade in chemicals totaled $154 billion and generated a $6 billion
positive trade balance. The consistency of regulations reduces regulatory compliance costs
and helps to avoid costly frustrations of international shipments. PHMSA’s continued
leadership in maintaining consistency with international regulations enhances the
hazardous materials safety program and assists in maintaining a favorable trade balance.
II. Background
PHMSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) under Docket HM-
215L (77 FR 49167, August 15, 2012) to incorporate various amendments to harmonize
the HMR with recent changes to the UN Model Regulations, the IMDG Code, and the
ICAO Technical Instructions. When considering alignment of the HMR with international
standards, we review and evaluate each amendment on its own merit, on the basis of its
overall impact on transportation safety, and on the basis of the economic implications
associated with its adoption into the HMR. Our goal is to harmonize without diminishing
the level of safety currently provided by the HMR or imposing undue burdens on the
regulated community.
Based on this review and evaluation, in this final rule, PHMSA is amending the
HMR to incorporate changes from the 17th Revised Edition of the UN Model Regulations,
4